SCOTT REID

The culinary institution, founded 17 years ago by owner Dean Gassabi, has long proved a hit with locals and tourists alike, serving a fusion of French, Scottish and North African food styles.

It is reopening after a month-long shutdown, which has seen its trademark blue, three-storey home on the city’s winding Victoria Street stripped out for a comprehensive refurbishment.

Overseen by contractor SBS, the work involved stripping back the centuries-old building to its original stonework, much of which has been incorporated into the new design, along with modern touches including pink neon signs.

Gassabi, 58, whose daughter Layla is also now involved in the day-to-day running of the restaurant, said: “The scale of the investment we have made sends out a very clear message – we intend to be around for a long time to come.

“While Edinburgh has thousands of food outlets, you can count on your hands the number of independent restaurants in the city centre which have been around for 15 years or more. We are extremely proud to be among that small number.

“The more high-quality restaurants we have, the more we build a reputation as a thriving, cultured European capital.”

The 70-cover restaurant also has a 25-seat lounge and bar area and employs 30 staff.